Staying Active Throughout The Pregnancy Helped Missy During Her Home Birth

When did you realize you were really in labor?

I started losing my mucus plug around 1:30 am on a Saturday and had slight "menstrual-like" cramps along with passage of more mucus plug off and on that morning into the afternoon. I started having more regular contractions that Saturday evening, had midwives come to our home around 10 pm and baby was born around 1:40 am on Sunday.

What was the most challenging thing about going natural?

Since I was up most of the previous night due to excitement of losing my mucus plug and the upcoming birth, I was so tired during the actual active labor process. I had a "lip" in my cervix preventing cervix from dilating to a full 10. My midwives wanted me to do lunges but I was honestly so tired that the lunges took more energy than I had available. Instead of focusing on getting labor started during the day, I should have been sleeping and resting!

What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?

Stay active throughout the pregnancy! I think staying active and exercising up until the day we had our sweet baby really helped with me with stamina throughout labor and with the healing process after labor.

What surprised you about your birth?

My baby was born in the caul, meaning he was born with the amniotic sac intact. He was my second child (out of 3 children) to be born in the caul, which is a very rare event. Both of these children were born in water at home.

Just do it. It's not easy but it's worth it. Experiencing childbirth the way God intended makes you truly embrace the birth process and enjoy the after birth process that much more.

What pain relief strategies worked best?

Focus on calm breathing, prayer, being in warm water!

What position did you end up delivering in?

I moved around from squatting to sitting in the birthing tub while delivering baby.

How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?

Absolutely amazing. He was perfect in every way, made in God's image, and was born ready to meet the world. He immediately wanted to start breastfeeding and opened his eyes right away, intent on taking in this new world that he now belonged. No words can describe those initial moments after giving birth...it's truly a God moment.

What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?

Just do it. It's not easy but it's worth it. Experiencing childbirth the way God intended makes you truly embrace the birth process and enjoy the after birth process that much more. I have had one hospital birth that was not natural and two natural home births, and the experience with birthing and with healing afterwards has always been much better with my natural home births. God bless you, mama!